Law Would Require Military to Use U.S.-Made Running Shoes

Shoes one of few items exempt from made-in-America requirements.

U.S. military members in basic training might look like they're part of Team New Balance if federal legislation proposed last week becomes law.

The legislation would require the Department of Defense to supply new recruits with athletic shoes manufactured in the U.S. If the legislation were passed today, that would in effect mean the recruits would wear New Balance shoes, because the Boston-based company is the only major manufacturer that makes running shoes in the United States.

Federal law requires that the Department of Defense supply military recruits with American-made uniforms and equipment "to the greatest extent possible." Starting with the Army in 2002, however, branches of the military have not applied the requirement to the athletic shoes that recruits wear while in basic training. Instead, recruits buy the shoes of their choice, and are reimbursed.

The legislation was introduced by Maine's two senators, Susan Collins and Angus King, and its two House of Representatives members, Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree. Three of New Balance's five U.S. factories are in Michaud's district in the northern part of the state, including the one in Skowhegan seen above. The other two New Balance factories are in Massachusetts.

A spokesman for Sen. Collins said the legislation isn't just an effort to help an important employer in her state, but would also encourage other manufacturers to resume manufacturing in the United States.